Miami lands coveted commitment with DT Travonte Valentine

The University of Miami has long had Champagnat Catholic - Hialeah defensive tackle Travonte Valentine atop its recruiting board, labeled as a must-get in-state prospect.

On Wednesday, the Hurricanes landed their man when Champagnat coach Mike Tunsil confirmed that Valentine committed to Al Golden's program.

Valentine is Miami's 20th commit for its 2014 class, and he might be the biggest. He's a consensus four-star rated recruit who is considered one of the top 50 players in the nation by many of the major scouting websites.

But it's his position, defensive tackle, that makes him even more critical to the Hurricanes.

Valentine is Miami's third defensive tackle commit, but his pedigree separates him from the rest of the class.

Miami missed on local four-star DT prospects Anthony Moten and Khari Clark, who both committed to Florida, leaving Valentine as Miami's last realistic option to help an already maligned defensive front in the future as an impact man in the middle.

Ironically, Valentine is a former Gator commitment himself. He pledged to Florida in July 2012, only to decommit this past February.

Valentine chose Miami over Louisville, LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Florida State and Tennessee, amongst a bevy of others. At six-foot-four and 300 pounds, he projects as an immediate impact player for the Hurricanes if he ultimately enrolls at the school. No commitment is binding until a player enrolls at a school or signs a National Letter of Intent.

With the commitment of Valentine, Miami has jumped to No. 3 in 247sports' national 2014 recruiting class rankings.

Valentine transferred from Palm Bay's Bayside high in the spring. Caneinsider was the first to report Valentine's commitment.